Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Army Honors ODU ROTC Cadets With Purple Hearts and Meritorious Service Medals

The private awards underscore the federal view of the campus shooting as a terrorism case.

Overview

  • The Army recognized unnamed Old Dominion University cadets Sunday with eight Meritorious Service Medals and two Purple Hearts in a private ceremony led by Secretary Dan Driscoll and Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer.
  • The March 12 classroom attack at ODU killed Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and left two cadets wounded before classmates overpowered and killed the gunman.
  • The FBI is leading a terrorism investigation into why Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former National Guardsman with a prior ISIS-related conviction, targeted the ROTC class.
  • Students returned to class after spring break with added counseling and memorials across campus, including a public celebration of Shah’s life at Chartway Arena.
  • The Purple Heart honors service members wounded or killed in action, and the Meritorious Service Medal recognizes notable noncombat service that improves a unit or mission.